NEW TOWN RETAIL PRECINCT UPGRADEPROJECT INFORMATION – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

02.19

1. Why is the City of Hobart upgrading the retail precinct?

The City of Hobart, in collaboration with local communities, is working to revitalise several local retail precincts as part of the Transforming Hobart capital works program. This program has occurred as a result of requests from the community asking for improvements to retail precinct streetscapes.

2. How were the plans developed?

The streetscape design has been developed in collaboration with the local community, reflecting their needs for the area to be a more vibrant and accessible place.

More information on the community engagement process visit yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/newtownprecinct

Artist’s impression of streetscape upgrade including Hybrids – public artwork by Matt Drysdale.

3. What does the New Town upgrade include?

• improving footpaths and pedestrian crossing facilities on New Town Road and the side streets along the main road

• improving pedestrian access at Pirie and Pedder streets

• upgrading the Cross Street junction near Jackman and McRoss to create a public space for community events

• upgrading bicycle infrastructure, bus stops and shelters

• adding public artwork, new trees, plants and street furniture.

For more information: hobartcity.com.au/newtown

NEW TOWN RETAIL PRECINCT UPGRADEBelow shows the details of Stage 1 works. Details on other stages will be provided at a later date at hobartcity.com.au/newtown

FOOTPATH RENEWALS – ASPHALT

SEATING

RAISED THRESHOLD

4. What public artwork is included?

To contribute to the revitalisation of the New Town retail precinct, the City of Hobart has commissioned an artist to create an engaging and enduring public artwork that reflects the identity of the area, appeals to community members of all ages and remains contemporary and relevant for the long term.

Matt Drysdale, a Tasmanian-born artist from the Office for Collective Design (the OCD), has been chosen through a nationwide selection process for his concept Hybrids. The concept offers a series of sculptural landmarks that offer other functions, including seating, planting and places for posting community notices. Matt developed the Hybrids as a result of analysing the streetscape and gaining an understanding of the community desire for a bold work that defines the New Town retail strip.

Matt Drysdale is working closely with the City of Hobart’s Design and Planning team, adjusting various aspects of the concept in order to develop the final version of the artwork to be delivered in 2020.

Visit hobartcity.com.au/hybrids for more information.

5. What happens before construction starts?

• The project team is currently finalising the detailed design and preparing for construction.

• City of Hobart staff are conducting building condition surveys and inspections in the precinct, as well as minor investigation works in the roadway preceding the major works.

• City of Hobart officers are in contact with residents and businesses directly impacted by the works.

You may be contacted by the City’s officers if some aspects of the project relate to your property.

6. When will the construction start and when will it end?

Works will be undertaken in three stages starting on Monday 25 February 2019. It is anticipated that the entire project will be complete in the year 2020. More detailed timeframes cannot be provided as projects of this size may be impacted by weather, concurrent work in the area, contractor schedules and other factors. Please check our website for project updates: hobartcity.com.au/newtown

7. Where will the work start?

Work will commence with the footpath renewals and streetscape upgrades at the intersection of Pedder Street and New Town Road, followed by the footpath renewals on both sides of New Town Road between the Salvos and Pirie Street.

8. Will the City communicate with me about the work?

A pre-construction drop-in event will be held on Monday 18 February 2019 from 4.00–5.30 pm on the private lawns of the old church at the intersection of Valentine and Cross streets. The project team will be available to answer questions about the design and construction process.

Notifications will be posted to local residents and businesses regarding the commencement of the works in February 2019.

Ongoing project emails and updates will be sent out to our list of subscribers. If you would like to be added to this list, please call 03 6238 2845 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au.

Follow the City of Hobart on Facebook and Twitter for updates:

• Facebook @CityofHobartOfficial

• Twitter @cityofhobarttas

9. Will work happen during the Christmas and New Year period?

Construction will stop prior to Christmas and start again in early January 2020.

10. What are the hours of work likely to be?

Work will start at 7 am and finish at 4.30 pm. Monday to Friday. If weekend or after hours work is required to minimise traffic impact, the City will make every effort to inform the community.

Weekend work will comply with industrial protocols for safety and noise management in accordance with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulations.

RAISED THRESHOLD

11. Will there be any footpath closures?

A large portion of the work will involve the closure of footpaths. Signage will be erected to redirect pedestrians around the closure. Safe pedestrian access and crossing points will always be provided. Please seek the assistance of the work crew onsite if required.

12. Will there be any road closures?

At various stages of the construction, it will be necessary to restrict access from New Town Road to Pirie, Pedder, Roope, Valentine and Cross streets.

Partial or temporary closures may be necessary for construction. Our construction team will work with residents and property owners when these are required.

Works will be timed as best as possible to avoid any major impact on peak traffic flow.

13. Can I still access my driveway?

Vehicle access to driveways will be maintained, except when new concrete crossover and driveway pavement are being built. Before work on driveways starts, affected businesses and residents will be contacted.

14. Will access to shops, businesses and properties be maintained?

Access will be maintained at all times. The City will assist with directional signage. You may inform your regular customers about these works and the upcoming changes. If they would like to receive our e-newsletter updates, they can contact us on 03 6238 2831 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au

15. How will parking on the street be affected?

Although the City of Hobart is committed to keeping loss of parking spaces to a minimum, some parking spaces along New Town Road will be unavailable whilst the construction work is occurring. This is necessary to provide spaces for construction vehicles and vehicles travelling along New Town Road.

Additional short-term parking may be implemented to support business operations.

16. What happens to the bus stops?

Bus stops and shelters will be upgraded. You may receive notifications relating to the potential changes to the service, bus stop points or bus routes. Please check with Metro Tasmania if in doubt.

17. Will there be any noise?

The City will attempt to minimise machinery and vehicle noise associated with construction. Where possible, excavators and trucks will be fitted with silencers.

During permitted working hours, there will be noise from paving machines, saw-cutting and jackhammering activities.

18. Will there be dust?

The City applies best practice to protect the environment during construction. Water, in combination with other approaches, may be used to reduce dust emissions.

19. Will there be mud or dirt walked into my business?

Asphalt surfaces on the footpath will be removed and until the footpath is resurfaced there may be some mud or soil. To minimise dirt entering your property, we will place carpet on the doorway of your business.

20. Will there be any open trenches or pits?

Depending on the location, there will be securely-fenced trenches and open pits excavated for the installation of tree root barriers, electrical and communication conduits.

21. Where do I place my bins for collection?

You will be notified if you need to relocate your bins.

22. Whom can I contact if I have questions?

For more information, please call the City’s Senior Project Manager Engineering, Julian Kong, on 03 6238 2815 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au